Regrettably, a considerable number of the beloved figures from our cherished childhood, the guiding lights who molded our early experiences, have departed from us.
In my youth, I frequently tuned in to the program Laverne & Shirley—a timeless sitcom that ingrained itself into the hearts of countless individuals. Among the cast, the indelible portrayal of Shirley Feeney was brought to life by none other than the actress Cindy Williams.
Nevertheless, it is with profound sorrow that we acknowledge Cindy’s passing earlier this year, a loss that resonated deeply within the hearts of those who held her in high esteem.
Williams passed away due to a “brief illness” in Los Angeles on January 25, as stated by her children, Zak and Emily Hudson.
“The passing of our gentle, humorous mother, Cindy Williams, has left us with immeasurable sadness that words cannot truly convey,” the statement conveys, as reported by AP. “Knowing and cherishing her has been our source of joy and privilege. She possessed a one-of-a-kind beauty, generosity, a brilliant sense of humor, and a radiant spirit that endeared her to everyone.” Born in Los Angeles on August 22, 1947, Williams’ career commenced with television roles in series like Nanny and the Professor and Love, American Style.
Before ascending to fame, she was a theater student alongside Sally Field.
She then rose to prominence with roles in two of the most acclaimed Hollywood films of the 1970s: portraying Laurie Henderson in George Lucas’ American Graffiti, the high school sweetheart of Ron Howard’s character, and also appearing in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation. However, it was another television appearance that paved the way for her most iconic role. Williams was cast as a guest star in an episode of Happy Days, alongside actress Penny Marshall, portraying a pair of dates for Richie and Fonzie known as Laverne and Shirley.
The appearance was so well-received that producer Garry Marshall created a spin-off series, Laverne & Shirley. The show gained widespread popularity, running for eight seasons and becoming America’s most-watched show in its third season. Commencing each week with one of TV’s most memorable intros (“One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight! Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!”), the show, set in the late 1950s through the mid-1960s, chronicled the escapades of Laverne DeFazio (Marshall) and Shirley Feeney (Williams), steadfast friends and roommates.
The working-class pair initially worked as bottle cappers at Shotz Brewery in Milwaukee. Williams’ portrayal of Shirley was more gentle and traditional compared to her more outspoken and sarcastic best friend.
The show’s success stemmed from various factors, partly due to being one of the first instances of “blue-collar” women starring in a TV series and largely due to the chemistry between Williams and Marshall. “We seemed to have a telepathic connection,” Williams shared in a 2013 interview. “If we entered a room together and there was something unique about it, we would notice it at the same time and have the same reaction. We were always like that.”
However, Williams eventually departed Laverne & Shirley during its final season due to her pregnancy, which made filming challenging. After a legal dispute with Paramount that was resolved out of court, she left the series.
“They had me working on my due date, and they couldn’t handle it—that I needed time off to have a child,” Cindy revealed to ET. “In the end, I didn’t participate in that season of the show.” Williams and Marshall also experienced tensions during the show’s final seasons, though they reconciled in later years.
After stepping away from the entertainment industry for a few years to raise her child, she returned to television with sitcoms like Normal Life and Getting By.
She also found success on the stage, appearing in national tours of various plays and musicals, and gracing Broadway in The Drowsy Chaperone.
In 2015, Williams published a memoir titled Shirley, I Jest!, and reunited with Penny Marshall in an episode of the Nickelodeon sitcom Sam & Cat. Marshall also passed away in 2018 at the age of 75. Williams fondly remembered her as “truly exceptional, an immensely talented individual.” “Oh, the joy we shared! I can’t express how much I’ll miss her,” she conveyed to People.
David Lander, who portrayed Squiggy in the series, passed away in 2020 at the age of 73. Garry Marshall, the show’s creator and Penny’s brother, passed away in 2016 at the age of 81. Among the main cast, only Michael McKean remains alive and active in his career.
Just a few months before her passing, Cindy Williams candidly disclosed that the widespread popularity of her character, Shirley, posed its own set of challenges when it came to securing subsequent roles.
“I wished to have taken on more middle-of-the-road roles, but I wasn’t given the opportunity because no one wanted to cast me after ‘Laverne & Shirley’,” Williams shared with TVparty and continued: “I remember auditioning for this significant role, and the producer said, ‘I would have loved to cast you, but I can’t. You’re just too recognizable as Shirley Feeney.’ And it’s true, and I understand that.”
Yet, Cindy, a steadfast believer, consistently drew strength from her faith in God.
“I don’t know how to put this into words, but I was infused with a connection to God from the time I was born; and He in me. I always had this feeling that everything would be alright, even when circumstances seemed dire,” she once reflected.
May Cindy Williams rest in peace—she was an indelible part of TV history as half of the titular duo on Laverne & Shirley, and we all grew up watching them. Please share this account with your fondest recollections of Cindy Williams ❤️
